The Franklin County Library is a valuable source of entertainment and education as well as many extra services.

National Library Week will be held April 23-29 to celebrate our nation’s libraries and library workers’ contributions and promote library use and support.

The theme is “There’s More to the Story,” illustrating the fact that in addition to the books in library collections, available in a variety of formats, libraries offer so much more. 

Tina Stevens, the director of the Franklin County Library, reminds everyone of the latest items and services available. Whether one is interested in a quiet place to read magazines, newspapers or books, discover their genealogy, find out about local history, work a puzzle, attend a workshop or do a science experiment at a S.T.R.E.A.M. program, the library has something for everyone.

The Franklin County Library houses a physical collection of more than 31,000 items and provides access to a myriad of digital materials and resources.

Enjoy free eBooks, live-streaming video, Wi-Fi, computers, notary services (by appointment,) programs, employment assistance, instructional courses, tech tutoring and more. Meeting rooms are available to reserve upon director’s approval.

Free library card

A free library card is issued to persons ages 4 and older. Youths younger than age 18 wishing to have a card will need a parent, grandparent or guardian to apply for it. 

Registrants must provide identification, a valid phone number and proof of current address.

All items except DVDs are loaned for two weeks and may be renewed twice unless on reserve. DVDs are loaned for seven days and may be renewed once unless on reserve.

Items may be renewed by phone or online.

Special events

In addition to the many books, DVDs and CDs, there is a story-time hour for young children as well as book clubs for children and adults and plenty of special events held during the year.

The Spanish Speaker Club is held each Thursday at 10 a.m. Chess Club is held for all ages and skill levels on Saturdays from 8-11 a.m. Lego Club is held from 2-4 p.m. each Wednesday.

The popular summer reading program will be coming up starting in June with prizes and programs for area youths.

Copies, faxing and more

The library offers printing, copying, faxing, scanning and laminating to the public for a nominal fee. You do not need a library card for those services.

Black-and-white copies are 10 cents per side and color prints and copies are 25 cents per side. Scanning is free for the first 10 pages and 25 cents for each additional page.

Laminating up to 8.5×11 inches is $1. DVD cleaning and repair is $2 per disc per side.

Local and toll-free faxing is $1 for up to 10 pages while long-distance faxes are $2 for the first page and 50 cents for each additional page.

Incoming faxes are 25 cents per page. The fax number is 931-962-1477.

History room

The Franklin County Historical Society, founded in 1969, houses its local history collection in the Franklin County Library. The collection includes such resources as vertical files containing family history and genealogy, topical files relating to the history of Franklin County and its communities and microfilm copies of the earliest records of Franklin County government, local newspapers, regional census records, earliest birth and death records and local church records as well as an extensive collection of periodicals and reference books featuring family genealogies, the history of Franklin County, the state of Tennessee and several adjoining states.

Curbside service remains available

The library is open for patrons to come inside, but those wanting curbside service may call ahead for pick up at 931-967-3706. Curbside checkout is limited to 15 items including up to four DVDs per account and 10 children’s book bundles.

Latest additions

The latest DVDs that are available for checkout include “The Woman King”; “Whitney Houston—I Wanna Dance with Somebody”; “Spirited Away”; “Till;” and “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile.”

A few of the latest books include “Walk the Blue Line” by James Patterson; “8 Rules of Love: How to Find, Keep it & Let it Be” by James Shetty; “Minecraft Creative Mode: An Official Kids’ Guide” by Percy Leed; “Little Paula” by V.C. Andrews; and “The Cliff’s Edge” by Charles Todd.

The library is located at 105 S. Porter St. in Winchester and can be reached by phone at 931-967-3706. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each weekday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The library is closed on Sundays and will be closed on Good Friday and this Saturday.

Anyone may search the catalog at all hours online at franklincountylibrary.org. Visit the library’s Facebook page at facebook.com/fclbry.